We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dawn Ann Ritter a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dawn Ann, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

After being a high fashion model (Ford Models) worldwide, and then an actress doing tv and film for all of my adult life. This gave me the knowledge and strong opinion on fabrics and most textiles, and styles of what I like and what I dont; what works well, and what doesn’t. I also am very picky with my designs on washability, and the care factor. Quality is everything along with my designs being “Made in America”.
Side note: *I wold’ve gone to design school if I hadn’t grown tall enough to be a high fashion model-but fortunately growth was on my side-so high fashion it was!
I believe in lifting other woman UP, and making them feel good, and beautiful
There is an art to dressing -I feel like I have a definite original style-there isn’t any woman around who doesn’t want to look taller and thinner-so this is a definite strategy in most of my designs-whether its the way it’s cut or hangs on the body-or the fabric being flattering, and forgiving.
I dreamt my logo (the cowboy)-as my dad was a cowboy-as was my grandfather, and I came from a MT legacy cowboy family-so my logo is a nod to my family history.
I also feel like no-one is honest anymore…people just want to sell or get commission….both my stores are NOT commission based-and I will actually talk someone out of something if I don’t feel like it is a “good” fit

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I started my co. designing a diaper bag called a “Moo Bag”- at the time in the early 90’s there wasn;t any “cool” or appropriate diaper bags for men- so off I went designing, and patenting a unisex diaper bag that was a blanket/papoose/backpack. I got it into 13 states-and partnered with my best friend from high school…who funny enough ended up having so many babies….I was pretty much running most of our co- but the “hands-on” knowledge she had was priceless. I realized that I didn’t want to be in the baby business, and let my brand go idle.
It was with a move to Montana to a ranch life that inspired me to activate my cowboy brand, and open a boutique & design a “few” things. That was in Red Lodge, Montana.
My husband is a rock n’ roll guitarist ,so the ranch life wasn’t for him- so we eventually moved to Nashville, TN where I opened my 2nd boutique-while he continued his career in music.
I now go back & forth from Bozeman, MT (i moved my store there just 4 months ago) to Leiper’s Fork, TN (destination village of Franklin)
The two places are very in sync-the “gritty cowboy” & the “rhinestone cowboy”…so they work [perfectly together.
I dress alot of musicians to artists, to everyday walk of woman.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I used to be a model & actress. I had my baby late in life …Ive reinvented myself a couple times. The most valuable thing is making my own decisions, and staying true to what I like in fashion & not just the trends or fads.
I originally thought Id just have a small boutique in a tiny town, but as I built my business I realized how much I loved it and being in control of my destiny, and legacy that I leave my daughter. Now I want to open as many stores as possible- only in places I love!

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I started my biz with approx $5K….and just started little; designing a little; not a very big space; and I made sure I paid my bills as I went…little by little I grew ,and added inventory & designs…but the whole time staying true to my ethos: The Montana cowgirl-grit and glam in one. Eventually the security & payoff came.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://moocountry.com
• Instagram: @moocountry
• Facebook: Moo Country-Bozeman, MT + Leiper’s Fork TN
• Other: tiktok: moocountrybozeman